Equipment
| Hunting Equipment | Specific to Moose Hunt | Specific to Bear Hunt |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon (Rifle or Bow) | Camouflage clothing (20–60 degrees F), suitable for layering. | Camouflage clothing (40–80 degrees F) |
| Ammunition (2 boxes) | Clothing must be quiet in brush. We recommend wool. | Shooting sticks |
| Scabbard or Case | 2nd pair of insulated hunting boots | Light, soft soled boots/shoes |
| Binoculars | Warm hat and gloves | |
| Hunting Knife | 6 large meat bags | |
| Flashlight | Daypack | |
| Sleeping Bag (or sleeping bag liner if flying) | Water bottle | |
| Pillow (not required if flying) | Raingear | |
| Hunting Boots | ||
| Optional Items, but many hunters find them useful | ||
| Gun cleaning kit | Moose call | Predator calls |
| Camera | Fishing gear | Fishing gear |
| Radios | .22 for grouse | Spare rifle & ammo |
| Range finder | Shooting sticks | Large duffle bag for capes |
| Compass or GPS | Spare rifle & ammo | |
| Seat cushion | Tarp | |
| Rope | Coolers for meat | |
| Packboard | ||
| ATV | ||
Border & Firearms
Firearms
You will need a firearms declaration to bring your rifle into Canada. This firearm should be locked and secure when you cross the border. We will send you the declaration with your paperwork about a month before your hunt starts. Fill out the necessary information on the declaration but DO NOT SIGN it until you are in front of a Border Guard. This firearms declaration may have 3 firearms listed and will cost you $25 CDN at the border. This form (CAFC 909) is available online.
Documentation
The following is taken directly from the US Customs and Border Protection website.
Starting June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, are required to present one of the travel documents listed below.
- US Passport
- This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.
- US Passport Card
- This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.
- Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
- Several states and Canadian provinces are issuing this driver’s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the US by land or sea.
Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States.
Children age 18 and under will need to present a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or a passport to enter the US.
What will keep you out?
If you have a felony you may be denied entry into Canada. In Canada, drunk driving is considered a felony and may prevent you from entering the country. If you have any questions regarding this, we recommend you contact Lucy Perillo at their website.
Meat & Taxidermy
Meat Prep
At Crystal Lake Resort we take a great deal of pride in the preparation and care of your moose meat. We take every precaution to ensure your meat is clean both during and after your animal is gutted. Once the moose is back at camp we will assist you in preparing your meat for the trip home.
If driving, and you choose to take you moose home whole, we can store it in our meat shed or take it to our local butcher Chilako Meats for hanging in a cooler until you depart. We strongly recommend you have Chilako Meats cut and wrap your moose for you. They charge $0.65 per pound, or $0.75 per pound if a rush order less than 5 days. Moose from Crystal Lake Resort are their first priority, they treat our clients exceptionally well, and they provide the highest quality meat cutting. While we have an existing agreement with Chilako Meats, you may contact them yourself to get more details at (250) 560-5051 or www.chilakomeats.com. A moose will yield 6–8 boxes of meat. Depending on how long it will take you to get home, you may want to bring coolers, or line the bed of your truck with styrofoam.
If flying, you may take your moose home on the plane, though extra baggage rates are exorbitant. We can ship to any airport in the US that has a US Department of Agriculture inspector. You will have to check for the airport closest to you. Shipping rates vary, but average between $600–800 per moose. In some cases, if we are traveling to sport shows, we can bring your meat when we come. If you do not take your moose home with you, an export permit is required. If you choose not to take your moose meat home, the guides will be happy to eat it for you.
Taxidermy
Our local taxidermist Blue Mountain Taxidermy can provide you with full taxidermy services. Heidi Hill, the proprietor, is top notch. You can contact her at 250-567-5854 or 250-570-9576. If you have your own taxidermist at home she can prepare your trophies and have them shipped. If flying, we use her services for all moose antler and cape preparation and shipping. For bears, it is simplest to freeze or salt your hide and take it home on the plane with you in a large waterproof dufflebag. If you drove, you can simply take your moose cape and antlers or bear hide and skull home with you to your own taxidermist. We will clean the skulls and freeze the cape for you. If we have sufficient time we will flesh and salt your cape.
Where are we?
Driving
Crystal Lake Resort is located about 50 km (30 miles) southwest of Vanderhoof, British Columbia.
- Enter Vanderhoof on Hwy 16.
- Turn left on Kenney Dam Rd, also called Nechako Ave.
- Follow the Kenney Dam Rd for 28 miles (47 kms).
- The Kenney Dam Rd is paved for about 10 miles. After the pavement ends, you will go another 5 miles and cross the Kluskus Forest Service Road. Watch for the large Crystal Lake Resort sign on the right.
- Turn left into Greer Creek Ranch.
We will meet you at the ranch. The road up to Crystal Lake is too narrow for cars to pass, so please do not drive past the ranch until we have confirmed it is clear to proceed.
Flying
If you are flying, please book your flights carefully to ensure that you arrive and depart on the dates scheduled in your booking confirmation. You may arrive earlier or depart later, but you will need to make hotel reservations until we are able to accommodate you. You will need to fly into Prince George(YXS) via Vancouver (YVR). You may choose any airline that flies into Vancouver, but only two airlines fly into Prince George: Air Canada and West Jet. We will pick you up at the airport at no charge. Please be sure to give us your flight numbers and times well in advance.
Camp Policies
Crystal Lake Resort has, through experience, developed the following guideline to prevent misunderstanding and conflict. These are the policies we ask you to abide by in good faith, understanding that if a problem arises we will consider exceptions on an individual basis.
- All persons are required to abide by Hunting and Fishing Regulations including (but not limited to):
- A loaded gun is defined in BC as shells in the magazine. We strictly enforce no loaded weapons in vehicles, or ATVs.
- Hunters are required by law to be "accompanied" by a guide at all times. (This means within sight and sound.)
- You may not kill game on another persons tag.
- No person shall be allowed to hunt a species for which he does not possess a license.
- No person shall be allowed to fish without a license.
- Fishing limits are 5 per day and 10 possession.
- Any person willfully breaking hunting or fishing regulations will be expelled from the Resort without refund or compensation.
- Arrival and departure days are not hunting days.
- Hunters who wound game must cancel their tag or pay a $500 USD harvest fee to continue hunting.
- The Guide Outfitter (in consultation with guides and hunters) has the final say for all camp management including:
- assigning a guide to a hunter,
- determining hunting areas and times,
- use of cabins, facilities, equipment and gear,
- and may change these at his discretion.
- Swearing, smoking, spitting, drinking alcohol and lewd conversation are absolutely not permitted in the Lodge. We respectfully ask that this be confined to your own cabins.
- Absolutely no alcohol permitted prior to hunting. Alcohol is restricted to consumption only after the evening hunt or after you have killed and properly taken care of your game animal.
- All hunts, fishing trips, or other use of facilities must be prepaid.
- No refunds, no exceptions. We strongly suggest purchasing travel insurance. Travel Guard is a possible vendor.